Lest you think the drumbeat of criticism about the absurd salaries being paid by HHS Secretary Aldona Wos to two young graduates of the McCrory campaign is a partisan or ideological matter, check out this recent exchange[1] between John Hood of the Locke Foundation and conservative Raleigh radio host Bill LuMaye that took place on Monday afternoon.

After being asked his views on “salary-gate,” Hood said that both Matthew McKillip and Ricky Diaz were “very promising” “young men” whom he would consider hiring at the Locke Foundation if given the opportunity, but that he would never consider hiring them at anywhere near the salaries being paid to them by Wos:

“I would not hire them at salaries in the 80,000 range. It would be, you know, less than half that amount. And I just cannot imagine a justification for this decision — not just on the merits but also the political optics.”

He then went on to question the administration’s ongoing attempts to defend the salaries:

“I just don’t think that the decision is justifiable. I think that the more they continue to attempt to justify it, the worse it’s gonna’ be for them.”

You can listen to the entire interview (including several predictable comments that will make your head want to explode) by clicking here[1].